Istanbul Small-Group City and Secret Streets Tour with Guide

based on 173 reviews

Duration:2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

From $32.76

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CHILD (Age : 7 to 12)

ADULT (Age : 13 to 99)

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Upto 24 hours in Advance.

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The former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is a vibrant city filled with magnificent architecture and a rich history as the bridge between east and west. Perfect for first-time visitors, this in-depth guided walking tour covers the main attractions while also venturing to hard-to-find secret spots. Leave the navigation to your guide, who also provides illuminating commentary.

After meeting your guide at Sultanahmet Square, head off on a scenic stroll through one of the world’s most spectacular cities. Your guide will tell stories from the heyday of Byzantine and Ottoman rule as you wander the picturesque streets. This tour aims to give you an overview of the city, its historic attractions, museums, local arts and traditions etc.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Basilica Cistern
This spacious Roman built cistern shows off impressive Roman engineering was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul has been backdrop for many movies over time. Its cavernous depths make a great retreat on hot summer days.
2. Sogukcesme Sokak
This is a small street with beautiful historic houses which are leaning against the wall of Topkapi Palace.
3. Caferaga Medresesi
The Caferağa Medresseh is a former medrese and now recognised as an important centre of Turkish classical arts where traditional Turkish handicrafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry and so forth are taught, made and sold.
4. Hagia Sophia Mosque
Began its life as a church in 532 AD, converted into a mosque after the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and now a museum since 1935. By general consensus, it is the most important Byzantine structure and one of the world’s great monuments built under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul and famous for its lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome...
5. Topkapi Palace
Imperial residence of Ottoman sultans is the subject of more colorful stories than most of the world's museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. About 24 sultans ruled from the Topkapı Palace for nearly four centuries during the Ottoman Empire's 600-year reign
6. Sultanahmet District
"Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled
7. Walled Obelisk
The Walled Obelisk or Masonry Obelisk (Turkish: Örme Dikilitaş) is a Roman monument in the form of an obelisk. It is situated at the southern end of the ancient chariot-racing track of Constantinople's central barrier, beside the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpentine Column.
8. German Fountain
Constructed as a present from German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1898, it represents one of the most beautiful monuments in Istanbul.
9. Hippodrome
The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a circus that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Today it is a square with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. Monuments decorating the Hippodrome include the 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column...
10. Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists because of its bluish interior decoration( blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design), is the most important mosque of Istanbul standing next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city center..
11. Serpent Column
Also known as the Serpentine Column, Plataean Tripod or Delphi Tripod, is an ancient bronze column at the Hippodrome of Constantinople (known as Atmeydanı "Horse Square" in the Ottoman period). It is part of an ancient Greek sacrificial tripod, originally in Delphi and relocated to Constantinople by Constantine the Great in 324.
12. Sultanahmet Square
This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
13. Tahtakale District
"Shop till you drop" in Tahtakale, a sub-district of Istanbul's Eminönü, where you can find anything and everything you are looking for, all for resonable prices.
14. Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar with roots dating back to 1660, this is one Istanbul's most famous bazaars. Vividly coloured spices are displayed alongside jewel-like lokum (Turkish delight) at this Ottoman-era marketplace, providing eye candy for the thousands of tourists and locals who make their way here every day. Stalls also sell caviar, dried herbs, honey, nuts and dried fruits.

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Posted By : Samantha_S
We enjoyed our tour around Istanbul. Erol was friendly, engaging and knew so much about this outstanding city. It was a great introduction. Particularly enjoyed the visit to the Blue Mosque and learned so much.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 06:04:32

Posted By : Robert_M
Gamze was such a kind and warm person, so knowledgeable, proud of her country and enthusiastic. Her English was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour with her. We had some great conversations with her about Turkey and history and she was happy to answer and discuss anything. Gamze, thank you for getting us off to an incredible start on our trip to Istanbul. We are so grateful :)
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Posted On : 2024-04-27 12:32:19

Posted By : al500
Excellent introductory walking tour to the sights of Istanbul. Our guide Erol was very well informed about the history and cultures of Constantinople/Istanbul. We stopped at all the main sites where he explained their signficance, how/when to visit and what to look for inside - eliminating the need to take guided tours.

The tour meeting point was just up the road from the exit from the Cistern and ended at the Spice Market. The market is a great location to get to the Bosporus Cruise boats and an easy 15 minute stroll through the shopping streets back to the start with plenty of cafes to stop at for a coffee. Take this orientation your first before deciding how to spend the rest of your visit to Istanbul.
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Posted On : 2024-04-27 01:03:34

Posted By : Nancy_M
Much more than I expected! Great overview to get your bearings plus see the inside of the blue mosque.
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Posted On : 2024-04-19 15:47:17

Posted By : Diane_L
So enjoyed this tour. Gumzic was knowledgeable and ensured everyone was well looked after. Good foot wear and reasonable fitness is needed for this tour.
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Posted On : 2024-04-17 13:26:14

Posted By : cendut
I highly recommend this tour. There are sooo many stops and things to see and learn, it is a wonder they can fit on this 3 hour tour. Our guide Errol was patient, professional and polite. He explained so much and his English was very good. All the places were amazing. Nova Roma is better than well, actual Roma (in my opinion!) In the end he deopped us at this tea and sweets store that was best of the best. Their sweets were better than hafidz mustafa! We ended up buying so much. No pressure, though. For fit and not so fit people, you wouldn't have any problems BUT for lazy old me, the walking and incline was quite, well hardcore (ha ha). But my kids actually enjoyed it. We had a great time. Thanks, errol!
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Posted On : 2024-04-12 10:36:07

Posted By : August_D
We loved our tour with Erol. He had interesting facts and stories to share throughout the day. I recommend the morning tour because the sites are less crowded. Thanks again for a memorable experience, Erol!
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Posted On : 2024-03-16 07:04:20

Posted By : Ira_L
My daughter and I really enjoyed the tour. It was informative, done in a professional and friendly manner and not too long. It was scheduled for early morning and lasted a couple of hours (roughly) so we had the rest of the day to explore the city the way we wanted to. I can recommend it to everyone who wants to get their bearings of the old city and learn some historical facts without getting overly tired from walking and sightseeing.
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Posted On : 2024-03-10 04:29:31

Posted By : Andrew_M
This tour was a great introduction to the main tourist sites including Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and the Spice Bazaar. It is highly recommended as a way to orient yourself on a first day in Istanbul, and Elif is a lively and informative guide
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Posted On : 2024-03-08 09:03:37

Posted By : Patricia_L
Fantastic tour! The perfect length with so many interesting stops along the way. The tour guide was absolutely brilliant and so knowledgable. Would recommend this tour to everyone, you will not regret it!
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Posted On : 2024-02-26 12:48:08